Epping truck fire: Passengers escape blaze on Route 125 near Brickyard Square

EPPING — Two people escaped from a pickup truck before it was fully engulfed in flames on Route 125 near the Brickyard Square shopping plaza Thursday afternoon, according to fire Lt. Robert Aliberti.

Epping and Brentwood firefighters responded to a call at 2:55 p.m. reporting heavy black smoke from a vehicle fire near the busy plaza that includes Market Basket and many other stores.

When firefighters arrived, they reported the driver and passenger had already exited the vehicle, which was identified as a Ford Ranger pickup truck.

Aliberti said the entrance to the plaza and the nearest lane were shut down as firefighters battled the blaze. He said they cleared the scene at 3:52 p.m.

Aliberti said the cause of the fire is currently unknown but suggested it could have been caused by a mechanical malfunction. He added the incident did not appear to be suspicious.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Epping truck fire: Passengers escape blaze on Route 125 near Brickyard Square